On October 7, 2000, Thunder Bay made waves in history when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officially designated it as the first National Marine Sanctuary in the Great Lakes and 13th in the nation. Known as “Shipwreck Alley,” this stretch of Lake Huron off Alpena, Michigan, has claimed hundreds of vessels over the past two centuries—some lost to fierce storms, others to heavy fog, rocky shoals, or Thunder Bay Island itself. What was once a mariner’s nightmare is now a diver’s dream and a historian’s treasure chest.
116 Shipwrecks
Thunder Bay’s reputation for danger began early. Its location in Lake Huron’s northwestern waters offered shelter from storms. Unfortunately the unpredictable weather often turned the bay into a trap. By the late 1800s, wooden side-wheel steamers and schooners had already fallen victim. By the 20th century, even steel-hulled freighters joined the underwater graveyard. Today, 116 shipwrecks have been identified in the sanctuary’s 4,300-square-mile expanse. Many more may remain hidden beneath the waves.
The protection of Thunder Bay started in 1981, when Michigan designated it as a 290-square-mile underwater preserve. Nearly two decades later, NOAA’s designation marked a turning point. The designation ensured long-term preservation, research, and public education. In 2014, the sanctuary expanded its boundaries significantly. The sanctuary was extended from Presque Isle County to Alcona County, and reaching eastward to the U.S.-Canada border.
Living Classroom
For divers, Thunder Bay is an unparalleled playground. Some wrecks rest in shallow waters accessible to snorkelers and novice divers. There are many wrecks that challenge even the most advanced explorers. Beyond diving, the sanctuary is a living classroom. It connects shipwrecks to the broader “maritime cultural landscape” of the Great Lakes. It’s not just about preserving wooden beams and rusting steel. The sanctuary is also about telling the story of commerce, immigration, industry, and the people whose lives were tied to these waters.
Today, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is both a memorial and a marvel. It is protecting the fragile history while drawing visitors from across the world. From nineteenth-century paddle steamers to massive freighters, every wreck has a story. Thanks to decades of work by local communities, divers, historians, and NOAA, those stories will continue to surface for generations to come.
